At their most basic, firewalls works as a filter between your computer/network and the Internet. You can program what you want to get out and what you want to get in. Everything else is blocked. There are several different methods firewalls use to block out information, and some are used in combination. These methods work at different layers of a network, which determines how specific the filtering options can be.
Firewalls can be used in a number of ways to add security to your business. Large corporations often have very complex firewalls in place to protect their extensive networks. On the outbound side, firewalls can be configured to prevent employees from sending certain types of emails or transmitting sensitive data outside of the network. On the inbound side, firewalls can be programmed to prevent access to certain websites (like social networking sites, malicious links, and other sources). Additionally, firewalls can prevent outside computers from accessing computers inside the network. A company might choose to designate a single computer on the network for file sharing and all other computers could be restricted. There is no limit to the variety of configurations that are possible when using firewalls. Extensive configurations typically need to be handle and maintained by highly trained IT specialists, however.
The main goal of a firewall is to protect your computer and network from malicious mischief. Malware, malicious software, is the primary threat to your computer. Viruses are often the first type of malware that comes to mind. A virus can be transmitted to your computer through email or over the Internet and can quickly cause a lot of damage to your files. Other malware includes Trojan horse programs and spyware. These programs are usually designed to acquire information for the purposes of identity theft of some kind.
There are a number of firewall screening methods. A simple one is to screen requests to make sure they come from acceptable (previously identified) domain name and Internet Protocol addresses. For mobile users, firewalls allow remote access in to the private network by the use of secure logon procedures and authentication certificates.
You can always rely on CTI Technology’s qualified technicians about whether you are making the right choice in purchasing specific types of firewalls. Firewalls are available as Hardware devices, or as software programs that secure the communication lines that are already in place.
